EPHRATA, Wash. – Grant PUD's board of commissioners has identified four finalists in their search to appoint someone to fill the remainder of the late commissioner Dale Walker's term through December 2022. The vacant District No. 2 position on the five-member board represents the southeastern portion of Grant County, including portions of Moses Lak...

The COVID-19 pandemic has created difficulties that have led some Grant PUD customers to fall behind on their power bill payments. Customer Service Supervisor, Taffy Courteau outlined for commissioners the department's efforts to reach those retail customers who have outstanding balances on their bill."Our goal is to talk with customers and get the...

This year's top priority of the Wholesale Fiber Network is to upgrade the network's core equipment. On Tuesday commissioners learned about the department's plans for upgrading the hardware and other technology components of the network's core which will increase data capacity and ensure the network is ready for the next 10-20 years.Although the exi...

EPHRATA, Wash. – Grant PUD's board of commissioners is seeking qualified applicants to fill the remainder of the late Dale Walker's term as commissioner through December 2022.The vacant position on the five-member board represents the southeastern portion of Grant County known as District 2, which covers portions of Moses Lake, Warden and surroundi...

On May 7th, 2019, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law the Clean Energy Transformation ACT (CETA), which commits Washington State to achieve an electricity supply that is 100% greenhouse gas emissions free by 2045.Electricity production is the third-largest source of carbon emissions in the state. The bill aims to curb that by eliminating coal power...

Commissioners remembered with kind words and a moment of silence, Commissioner Dale Walker, 75, who died Sunday from complications with lung cancer. He joined the commission in 2011."We'd like to recognize Dale for his leadership," said Commission President Larry Schaapman. He was an advocate for low-cost public power. He had a tenacity for the eco...

EPHRATA, Wash. – Grant PUD staff joins the family of Commissioner Dale Walker in mourning his death. Walker, 75, who was serving as a PUD Commissioner since 2011, died on Sunday, Aug. 8, from complications with lung cancer."We are all very saddened to learn of Dale's passing," stated Grant PUD General Manager Kevin Nordt. "Our thoughts are with his...

Fiber crews continue expanding Grant PUD's fiber-optic network to customers throughout the remainder of Grant County. Commissioners heard during Tuesday's report that construction efforts are on schedule to see four additional areas completed by the end of the year. Once complete, a total of 19 of the 40 pre-defined expansion areas will be finished...

The summer months are always a busy time for the License Compliance and Lands Services Department. So far, this summer is following suit. Several capital projects, efforts to resolve shoreline management issues, permitting and GIS support across the utility along with the continued maintenance and operation of the recreation areas are keeping the g...

Northwest Congressional Delegations identifies the Treaty as a critical economic and clean energy issueEPHRATA, Wash - Congressional leaders from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana are urging President Biden to enlist a "top-level White House led strategy" to ensure efforts to modernize the Columbia River Treaty between the United States and Ca...

Grant PUD has increased its security patrols this season to keep visitors safe, as bookings for Grant PUD campsites have reached capacity or near capacity through October, Security Manager Fallon Long told commissioners.Campsites are already fully reserved through October on weekends, Long said, and are currently at about 85% reserved on weekdays.T...

Seasonal field work is well underway for Grant PUD's Fish and Wildlife Department and with the help of the appropriate safety protocols, more project area work is taking place this year compared to last year due to the impacts of the pandemic. Fish and Wildlife Manger, Tom Dresser highlighted the department's efforts on a comprehensive review analy...

Maintaining our life-sustaining power and essential fiber services is a top priority that requires the health and safety of highly trained workers. We closely monitor the threat of COVID to these employees. One of the most effective precautions is closing our offices to public access and having employees in support roles work from home. This action...

Grant PUD's 2021 adjusted forecast for total expenditures and net operating income remain largely on track through March, commissioners learned Tuesday, amid projections for stronger-then-forecast revenues from wholesale power sales, but a decline in net income.Total expenditures this year are now forecast at $278.3 million, only slightly below the...

Commissioners Tuesday asked staff for more information to substantiate $24.61 million needed to upgrade Grant PUD's aged service centers in Ephrata and Moses Lake. The investment is intended to make critical improvements to extend the buildings' useful lives for approximately 7 to 10 years.Grant PUD service centers contain shops, office space and y...

Expanding and maintaining Grant PUD's fiber-optic network does not come without challenges along the way. However, despite the various hurdles Senior Manager of Wholesale Fiber, Russ Brethower told Commissioners that the fiber system is "looking good."Brethower updated the Commission regarding the group's 2021 priorities. Priorities include upgradi...

EPHRATA – A former Grant PUD executive and the Emergency Response Team at Wanapum Dam have been honored by the Northwest Public Power Association with prestigious awards.Kevin Marshall, former Chief Operations Officer at Grant PUD with more than 43 years of experience in civil, structural, and in-water engineering, received the 2021 Milto...

Grant PUD's old Lands and Recreation Department inaugurated a new name just after the first of the year and is gearing up for a busy recreation season, department manager Shannon Lowry told commissioners.The "License Compliance & Lands Service Department" now has a name that better reflects its expanded duties related to federal license complia...

RICHLAND, Wash. – Today, Energy Northwest, Grant County Public Utility District and X-energy, LLC signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a mutual partnership to support the development and commercial demonstration of the country's first advanced nuclear reactor. The partners will collaborate and share resources to evaluate their mutual g...

With the passing of the one-year mark since the start of the pandemic, Grant PUD is getting a clearer view of the impact COVID-19 has had on its customers' ability to stay current on their Grant PUD bill.Senior Manager of Customer Solutions, Terry McKenzie said that based on the past due amounts it appears, residential customers have felt the impac...